What Jesus Did! 'Led by the Spirit' — Luke 2:25-28a

Thursday, January 31, 2019

[When Mary and Joseph took Jesus to the Temple for his dedication,] there was a man in Jerusalem named Simeon. He was righteous and devout and was eagerly waiting for the Messiah to come and rescue Israel. The Holy Spirit was upon him and had revealed to him that he would not die until he had seen the Lord's Messiah. That day the Spirit led him to the Temple. So when Mary and Joseph came to present the baby Jesus to the Lord as the law required, Simeon was there.
— Luke 2:25-28a NLT
Illustration of Luke 2:25-28a NLT — That day the Spirit led him to the Temple.

Key Thought

Simeon was a great figure of Old Testament devotion — he was righteous and devout. He was also a great figure of what came to be New Testament devotion — filled with the Holy Spirit, enlightened by the Holy Spirit, and led by the Holy Spirit. In this blending of both old and new, we find something fresh, vital, and life-changing: people whose hearts were fully committed to honoring God while acknowledging that their power to be holy came from the Holy Spirit. Like Simeon, let's make sure we take up the new and not neglect the old. God wants us to be filled with a holy passion for him, his Kingdom, and his hope!

Today's Prayer

Father, thank you for the Holy Spirit given to me when I became a Christian. I pray that my heart will seek after you and your ways passionately. However, dear Father, I know that my best efforts are not enough. I need the power and leading of your Spirit to be all that you want me to be. In Jesus' name. Amen.

Related Scripture Readings

  • Titus 3:3-8
  • Romans 8:5-11
  • Galatians 5:22-25

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About This Devotional

What Jesus Did! is a series of one-year devotional guides through each gospel, using one short scripture passage each day and following the Gospel in sequential order. Each devotional consists of a scripture passage and a reflection and a prayer which open up the day's scripture and show how it challenges you to live for Jesus.

What Jesus Did! is written by Phil Ware.

Scripture quotations are taken from the Holy Bible, New Living Translation, copyright ©1996, 2004, 2007, 2013, 2015 by Tyndale House Foundation. Used by permission of Tyndale House Publishers, Inc., Carol Stream, Illinois 60188. All rights reserved.

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